I certainly benefited from it. | How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide...

Shakespeare was here..... | How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines | Thomas C. Foster

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	• How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines Thomas C. Foster Harper Paperbacks, 2003 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 62 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Helpful but Cutesy....3 1/2 stars

I had a specific reason for reading this book: I can't read fiction. I just can't seem to focus on it. Which didn't bother me for a number of years, because I enjoy a steady diet of history, biography, and other non-fiction. But recently, more and more, I feel I've been missing out on something, particularly looking back at some of the classics I've never read. When I came across Foster's book, I thought it would be helpful in overcoming my fict-o-phobia.

It has been. Not only has Foster given ideas for structuring whichever book chosen(or even stories in movies, poetry, or song), but he suggests many titles that actually sound exciting, now that I know of the interesting characters and plots that are developed within them.

However, I found the tone of the book somewhat condescending. This might not be true for a freshman English student, but for a forty-something post professional, the cute, jokey statements aren't appreciated. Not that Kelly EVER puts cute, jokey statements in her reviews (she says, tongue firmly in cheek).

As to the effectiveness of Mr. Foster's method: He aims at teaching his readers to recognize the symbolism in literature, and therefore the layers of story within. At first, this concrete fact-finder despaired of being able to do this. After some practice, however, tonight I wrote a review on a film in which I was able to find a particular type of symbolism throughout; it seemed to jump out at me from every angle. I couldn't figure out why every reviewer before hadn't mentioned it in the past. The story now didn't just have one surface plot, there were many layers. It made what could have been simply an entertaining film multidimensional.

As for *reading*, I still have not been brave enough to pick up Ulysses or the latest Dean Koontz novel (still fearing that huge voice in my head screaming "I bet they made this up!"), but at least the idea seems exciting instead of dull. Thanks, Professer Foster.

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I certainly benefited from it.

"How to read literature like a professor" is an easy-to-comprehend book, lucidly written with a dash of humour, that is meant for amateurs of literature. Using a conversational tone throughout the book, Thomas Foster chose to emphasize on symbolism and patterns used in literature. Incorporating examples from a wide selection of books (mainly classics or renowned novels), he explains the way symbols are inherent in novels and imparts techniques to the readers on how better to fathom the deeper significance of the contents. According to Thomas, meals, diseases, blindness, weather and seasons, roads present in novels are all written for a purpose. For example, meals signify communions whereas roads represent quests.

There is much to be learned from this book, but I doubt it will be of much use to serious students of literature. I would have preferred if the author also touched on other aspects of literature, such as themes and characterization. Using an entire book to explain symbolism seemed a tad too long-winded.

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Shakespeare was here.....

I wish I had had access to HOW TO READ LITERATURE LIKE A PROFESSOR for my Freshman English classes. Thomas C. Foster provides the reader with insights into those amazing points college professors and advanced placement English teachers make concerning classical texts such as PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, THE SUN ALSO RISES, BELOVED, and the other standard works assigned to young students. The older reader will also appreciate his insights. You may even finally discover why certain works appeal to you while others don't, or why trashy novels don't fill the gap in your soul "good" books do.

"It was a dark and stormy night..." So begins the never finished novel Snoopy has been developing on the top of his dog house for years. And so began (or similarly began) one of the great classics...WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Foster explains why the weather in a novel is a very important clue. Sunshine and clouds affect mood and the classical writers are adept at using atmospheric pressure to evoke mood.

Foster explains that other literary devices have been used to effect mood, attitude, and feelings of commiseration ever since our forebears sat around the campfires and told each other entertaining tales. Shakespeare may have been original, but he was also a master of understanding what worked for other authors from whom he borrowed much. A number of great works written since Shakespeare use his devices including subtle references to the Bible and the Greek Classics.

One wonders in an age not prone to studying the Bible as literature or Latin in high school, how much is lost. On the other hand, the study of Spanish (a Romance language) could prove quite important to speakers of English deprived of Latin classes. Don Quixote understood the importance of "the quest."

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An enjoyable read.

I really appreciated this book and the simple way the concepts were explained. I am a teacher and trying to express the concepts Foster clarified so eloquently described in the book is tricky. I enjoyed reading the book myself, and intend to rely on it as reference for my lessons. I highly recommend it for those who wish to get more out of their reading experience.